Winter Storm Warning Issued for Eastern Sierra Slopes of Inyo County
A major winter storm is expected to bring over three feet of snow and 55 mph wind gusts to the Eastern Sierra Slopes from Monday morning through Wednesday night.
Alert Details
The National Weather Service in Las Vegas has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the Eastern Sierra Slopes. The warning is in effect from 4:00 AM PST Monday through 10:00 PM PST Wednesday.
Affected Areas
The warning specifically impacts the Eastern Sierra Slopes of Inyo County.
What You Should Do
Residents are urged to stay indoors until conditions improve. If you must go outside, dress in multiple layers of clothing to maintain body heat and cover exposed skin to reduce the risk of frostbite or hypothermia. Essential items include gloves, a scarf, and a hat.
Officials recommend delaying all travel. If travel is absolutely necessary, motorists must exercise extreme caution as conditions will be hazardous.
Expected Conditions
Heavy snow is forecast for the region with significant accumulations based on elevation:
- Above 8,000 feet: Total snow accumulations exceeding 3 feet.
- Above 7,000 feet: 1.5 to 2.5 feet of snow.
- Down to 6,000 feet: 8 to 16 inches of snow.
Wind gusts are expected to reach as high as 55 mph. These winds, combined with falling and blowing snow, may reduce visibilities to below one-quarter mile. Such conditions could cause tree damage and make travel very difficult to impossible.
Timeline
The Winter Storm Warning begins at 4:00 AM PST on Monday, February 16, and remains in effect until 10:00 PM PST on Wednesday, February 18. Snowfall rates are expected to decrease temporarily from late Monday night into Tuesday morning before increasing again by mid-day Tuesday.
Source: NOAA Official Notice